‘In memory of the greatest generation’: Rutland unveils new WWII memorial

RUTLAND — A towering, tangible reminder of what one generation gave for the generations to come now stands in the city.  

Main Street Park hosted more than 300 neighbors, government officials, military service members and veterans Wednesday for the unveiling of a 10-foot granite monument honoring local World War II service members. 

The monument bears the names of 164 service members from Rutland County who died in the war, beneath an inscription reading “In memory of the greatest generation.”

“I feel the service of the World War II veterans that we recognize today, those that lost their lives, those that came back. We owe a dedication of our lives,” Rutland Mayor Tom Donahue said during the Veterans Day event. “My wife and I have five kids and 13 grandkids, all of them here in Rutland, and all of them free, and that is a testament to what this generation did for us.”

Donahue wore a World War II military uniform jacket that belonged to his father, who served in the war from 1942 to 1945. “I feel like he’s here with me right now,” Donahue said. 

The event was full of both solemn and hopeful remembrance. Several speakers noted veterans’ commitment to freedom, including Rutland High School student Ava Gallo. Gallo presented a biography of John “Jack” Hawkins, whom she profiled as part of a George Washington University program in which 15 high school students across the country learn about D-Day. The program culminates in trips to Washington, D.C., and Normandy in France. 

Hawkins, of Bomoseen, enlisted in the Army in 1943. He was killed in action 17 months later.  

“Jack was not just a soldier. He was a son, a student, an athlete, a writer and a young man with a promising future of living,” Gallo said. “His story reminds us that behind every casualty statistic is a real person with dreams, relationships and goals.”

Many Vermonters enlisted for the war from Rutland. That tally is 16,492 men and women, according to Ron Fredette, commander of the Rutland American Legion, who has and reviews documents from the era. One of those who enlisted was Gov. Phil Scott’s father, who lost both of his legs in service.

“It’s hard to put into words the amount of people that are here to honor our veterans, to have this memorial here to honor the World War II veterans,” Scott said in an interview after the event. “It’s especially important to me.”

During his remarks to the crowd, Scott spoke directly to World War II veteran Buddy Taggart, who was honored by President Donald Trump at this year’s State of the Union address for his role in liberating a Japanese internment camp in the Philippines. “You set an example for us that we should all learn. We’re fortunate to have you with us. We should all listen and learn from you,” Scott said.

The sun shone on Taggart, 100, and his fellow World War II veteran Mary Wright, 103, as they removed a covering from the monument after a prayer of remembrance from Wally Pratt, chaplain of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter. 

“The names on this memorial remind us that freedom is not free,” Pratt said. “These brave Rutlanders paid the ultimate price for the freedom we enjoy today.”

The crowd sang along to “America the Beautiful” as Taggart and Wright posed alongside two other veterans in front of the just-revealed memorial. 

Taggart remained humble after the event. 

“Who’d ever expect it?” he said, reflecting on his modest childhood farming, logging and attending a one-room school in Castleton on Birdseye Mountain, and the honors he’s received since enlisting at age 17, including at Wednesday’s ceremony. “Oh, it was fantastic, fantastic, super.”

The monument’s story began in July 2025, when Rutland Cemetery Commissioner Tom Giffen told the city’s Board of Aldermen that he had received a call about a lack of World War II memorials in the city park, Giffen said in an interview Tuesday. 

The park holds memorials for most major wars, he said, adding that he was shocked to find that the city had never built a World War II veterans memorial. 

The Board of Aldermen then formed a committee in August 2025, composed of Giffen and members of the local VFW and the American Legion, Giffen said. Within 14 months, the committee had designed and received the 9,000-pound statue from Buttura & Gherardi Granite Artisans, a Barre granite manufacturer. More than $45,000 was raised from community donations for the monument, a nearby flagpole and upkeep, according to Giffen. 

Wednesday’s event concluded as the American Legion Post 31’s firing team gave the rifle salute: three blank shots apiece, representing duty, honor and sacrifice. As the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War Honor Guard retired the colors, bagpipers played “Amazing Grace.”

Bob Snarski, who served on Wednesday’s firing team, as well as 22 years in the Army Reserves, said he was moved by the ceremony. 

“It may be the last time you’ll have live veterans from World War II, Korea, Desert Storm, Vietnam, right up to the present, all in one place together,” he said. “That just ran chills up my spine.”

Thanked for his service, Snarski simply replied, “It’s my honor.”

Read the story on VTDigger here: ‘In memory of the greatest generation’: Rutland unveils new WWII memorial.